Gopher Genealogy by Susan LeBlanc provides information about research, lectures, published articles and book reviews, and Serendipity Moments that are the results of searching for ancestors both personally and for clients. The objective of the blog is for others to receive insight and inspiration in doing their family history research. It is an evolving method of communication and input from reviewers is welcome.

Lectures

Biographical sketch: Susan LeBlanc, 2010 Accredited Genealogist ICAPGen (area of specialty New England), 2005 BYU graduate, BGS/BA degree in Family History, AA in Spanish. Work includes over twenty years in FHC, instructor, lecturer, professional researcher, editor and writer. Five years working as the Coordinator of the Ruth C. Bishop Volunteer Hall of Honor Award through the Federation of Genealogical Societies. Member of Association of Professional Genealogists, Genealogical Forum of Oregon, DAR (not current), ICAPGen. Native of Oregon, with New England roots, she has over fifty years of research experience in genealogical research. She enjoys the thrill of the search in solving family history mysteries. Her husband David, six children and six grandchildren patiently support her in this pursuit.

Presentations Prepared – one hour lectures on family history research can be adjusted to meet your needs.

Ancestry.com – Tips and Tricks for discovering your relatives while exploring on the top genealogy online website. We will walk through the collections and discover tools for researching within collections. This will be an online presentation so please bring some of your research questions and we will try to discover the answers.

Ten Steps to Cemetery Research - Looking for Ancestors

Learn about easy to follow steps on how to make the most of looking for your relatives who now reside in cemeteries. Find out what you can gain from cemetery and burial records. Discover the hidden secrets they hold and ways they can further guide you in doing research. Part 1

Cemetery Research Strategies

No two cemeteries are alike. They maintain their records in various methods and processes. Some will willingly share information and others guard information as if their lives depended on privacy issues. How you approach, the staff has a large bearing on the success that you will have. Part 2

Census Research With Success

What do census records have to do with finding your ancestors? Let’s look at how to make the best use of census records. Learn a variety of methods in how to find the hidden ancestor who challenges your search. Explore the depths of information contained in the various census records.

Fold3.com – So much more than Military Records

Associated with ancestry.com, this website began with a focus in Military Records, but have now widely expanded their collections. We will explore the website and learn how it works. Learn of some of their current digitization projects and how they will impact your research.

Genealogy Education – Learn How to Enhance Your Research

The changing world of genealogical research requires that we continually update our knowledge and skills. To meet this need, there is a wide variety of educational opportunities available, some for no financial cost and some at substantial cost. In this discussion, we will explore what these opportunities are and how to take advantage of them as you discover your family history.

German Research - Understanding Culture, Places and Time Frames

Discover the heritage of your German ancestors, what propelled them to come to America and how to find them in the old country. Key pieces of US research that leads back to the home country. Available research tools: online, books, filmed and digitized materials. Case studies that may provide insight into the research you have been reluctant to pursue.

Immigration/Naturalization

Questions to answer about your ancestors: When did they come? Where did they come from? How did they travel? With whom did they travel? Where were they going? Why did they come? What did they do when they arrived? Learn where to research for answers and important records to utilize.

Military Records – What You Can Learn From Them

Learn what types of records are most useful in research, where to find the records and how to extract the information they provide. The military keep some of the most extensive records available and they are extremely useful in proving relationships in families. In this presentation, we will examine the true value of these records.

Public Libraries

Come discover the treasures to be found in Public Libraries. Learn how to unlock the knowledge about your ancestors and their history. Understand the keys that will help you to open the doors of discovery and find the hidden sources of information. Enjoy the experience of exploration.

Religious Affiliations and Their Records

Focus will be on churches found in the United States and some foreign countries. What do you know about your ancestor’s religious affiliations? What church records might help you to learn more about your ancestors? These valuable records may provide the documentation you need to link generations of ancestors.

Research Strategies – Tracking Your Families

Fast, accurate, and efficient research, is essential in compiling your genealogy. Research strategies ensure a well-organized, thorough, documented family history. Look for the least expensive way to obtain the information you need. Determine what you can do at no cost first, and then select which records you want to obtain.

Researching in Family History Centers

Learn about local Family History Centers and what they offer to help you in researching your Family History. We will discuss where they are located, who works in them, and what makes them unique.

Researching in Familysearch

FamilySearch™ is a computerized system of genealogical information. Learn about the many facets of familysearch.org and how it can lead you to new discoveries about your ancestors. We will discuss the databases available, changes that are coming soon and tips on making your research successful.

Researching Your New England Ancestors

Come discover the rich heritage of your ancestors in the wealth of resources found in the early records of the New England states. Learn how to perform a thorough research of the resources from your own home. Build a case for the ancestral lines you seek to establish.

The War of 1812 Bicentennial – Stories From Both Sides

Often referred to as the forgotten war, there is a wealth of information to be discovered. We will discuss the impact of the War of 1812, a few battles, citizen involvement, and emotional complications with family and friends. Learn how to find the records and published material for this research.

Valuable Hidden Sources

Lecture description: Where to find valuable hidden sources and how to gain access to them. Examine the types of sources and the evidence they provide. Using the sources to enhance the family history and prove relationships that are difficult to prove. Documenting those sources so they can be used in the future.

Writing a Family History Your Children Will Enjoy

Create a story that children will enjoy reading and treasure for generations to come. They will explore their ancestry through items that make the story come alive for them. Learn to compile information with a computer database, be very thorough with notes and document sources for future reference.

WorldVitalRecords.com - New to the Family History community in 2006 and quickly becoming a prominent web site for research. Come learn about how to use this web site and discover a vast collection of genealogical materials including vital, land, immigration, and military records; newspapers, international databases, and a collection of reference material.

Hereditary and Lineage Societies

Discover how to use records from Hereditary and Lineage Societies when doing family history research. Learn about what type of information they collect and how to access it. Explore why one might want to be involved in a society and the impact of that to our descendents.

All content from this blog is copyright by Susan LeBlanc, AG® if you wish to distribute or publish any information for non-monetary use, please include a text link back to the original site. For all other circumstances please contact the author.